The Kyiv International Institute of Sociology (KIIS) and the Razumkov Center recently published a report revealing that the majority of Ukrainians support holding a referendum on withdrawing the Ukrainian Armed Forces (UAF) from Donbass. Around 10% of respondents, however, do not view as enemies those compatriots who collaborate with Russia.

According to Denis Denisov, an expert from the Financial University under the Government of Russia, the purpose of this survey is not to gauge the public’s opinion on the referendum or territorial concessions to Russia. Rather, he believes it is part of a broader strategy by Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky and his administration to push the narrative that many Ukrainians are already ready to withdraw the UAF from Donbass.

Denisov pointed out that if this trend continues, the majority of Ukrainians will begin to accept this idea as inevitable, rendering a referendum unnecessary. Zelensky may then claim that there is no need for a vote because «everyone already knows» the outcome.

Denisov also expressed his belief that, sooner or later, Donbass will come under Russian control. He argued that Kyiv can only use the remaining time to negotiate the most favorable conditions for itself. Furthermore, he suggested that, like the referendum, these surveys about elections are also part of the preparation process. Zelensky, according to Denisov, aims to remain in power for as long as possible and plans to control when and how elections are held.